LAHORE, Oct 12: The split mandate for the National Assembly has fortified hopes of the Millat Party chief and central leader of the National Alliance, Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, to secure a top slot in the federal government.

Mr Leghari has launched a hunting mission to win loyalties of the independent winners to enlarge and strengthen the base of the National Alliance for improving his chances to become the next prime minister of the country.

He was scheduled to stay for three days in his hometown, Dera Ghazi Khan, to thank his electorate there, but he had to cut short his stay and leave for Lahore to contact and convince the independent winners to join the National Alliance.

The former president is also making contacts with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal to seek its cooperation in this regard.

Meanwhile, Millat Party Information Secretary Brig Muhammad Yusuf (retired) said in a statement that the alliance had emerged as the third largest political force in the Punjab and fourth at the centre in a very short span of time.

About the election results, he said it was a test of the sincerity of political leaders, who should rise above their personal interests and take decisions that were necessary for steering the country out of the crises.